The only reason I would take out the amp is to put it in the new car as I am sure it would fit, makes no sense to trade it in to the dealer with it. Even the alloys, if I do trade to the dealer they may come off to and go back onto Ebay. But again, nothing is set in stone here which is the best part...I can stay the course and just do nothing or I can buy. I do know that if I end up buying, I would buy the Verano right now. Even though a small ute would be great for my spinal issues with ingress/egress, not really liking much out there except the Tiquan and the Kia/Hyundai twins as I prefer the smaller ute's. Besides that, these are the only new vehicles I'd purchase. I do love the last generation BMW's or C Class but the upkeep on older units can get pricey and I don't have the time or the funds to even want to do it.So right now I just do nothing, except add some pics to my ad and wait. The wife just told me again it's dumb to sell a perfectly good vehicle and spend the $ on something new...and logically and financially she's correct. But I just want to do it...and all you guys understand this I know...it's something I just can't put into words here.

Did drive this the other day also and though it was nice, the Verano drove so much better. The Encore has a turbo engine and the interior was nicer in the other vehicle though they are similar in many respects. The salesguy told me that mostly women purchase the Encore and both sexes choose the Verano and the age groups are all over the place on both. I do like the added versatility of the hatch but we don't haul much stuff anyways so not a big deal. Basically, out of everything I have driven since this latest search began a few weeks ago, the Verano checks every single box and is the 1st vehicle that I have gotten this excited about since the '06 Civic was introduced. So there ya have it...I want a Buick Verano as my next vehicle! And it can be a 2014, a 2015 or even a 2016 model...I have no choice really though of course I can get the most for my Civic with it having under 50k miles I believe. After that, wonder if it really matters. Looked at Craigs and all the other 2006 Civic LX's offered have high miles, over that 80k mark with mine being the only one with under 50k. At least I know what I want...time will tell!

I'm not into car stereos, but if you are going to use it in the next car, then keep it. Weigh the removal costs vs replacement.

And yeah, it's not dumb - maybe dumb to wifey, but she's not into cars. Different people have different priorities. You are into cars. I am sure she does things you think are dumb, too - not that you'd say it, of course I'll skip a statement made by dopey people these days about how many times you live, but say I sometimes agree with it. You can't take it with you.

For the Buicks, I think the Verano is 100x better looking than the Encore.

I'm not into car stereos, but if you are going to use it in the next car, then keep it. Weigh the removal costs vs replacement.

But you have had (at least for the last 2 decades or longer) cars with good sound as part of the OEM factory package. Some things you don't miss unless you don't have it. Honda audio systems are dreadful. Without exaggeration, they were better 20 years ago...or for certain..15 years ago.

Audio is one thing that NA cars seem to do better from the factory going back to about the mid 80s and forward. It happened when some behind-the-desk actually earned their paycheck when the light bulbs came on that OEM factory stereos were crap and everybody knew and those who cared...anyone under the age of about 60..replaced the OEM system with capable aftermkt stuff. Sometimes this was arranged before the car even left the OEM selling dealership! So they rightfully decided to start offering better sounding OEM audio and sometimes charging marginally more for even upgraded amps and speakers from the factory. Why let an obvious profit-potential get out of their grasp? And around about 1989 is when Toyota (and other Asian cos) came out with their newest generation Cressida. It was 89 for Toyota, but others where all within about a year or two also, and they totally revamped OEM car audio. I remember an old GF's 92 Grand Am had...comparatively speaking..a killer stock sound system compared to even Honda's Accord of the same year.

But those were the good old days for Honda (and other Asian product) and certain NA builds still too...they think some of us are idiots and don't notice how bad it can sound...(thinking of a 2014 Ram 1500 relatively base truck here with two speakers..gawd-awful sounding compared to a GM and probably Ford too even 10 years ago..)

I had a 2003 Toyota/GM Matrix that actually had the GM type audio in it, but you could tell that Toyota had painted the amp with the cheap-it-up-they-won't-notice brush. But it got worse! By 2005, they had cheapened the audio to the point were they were using Corolla audio in it. And it sounded it too They think we are stupid and don't notice. And it is truly idiotic on their part. If some Asian brand like Subaru (who needs it more than any other) came along and let it be known that they are now putting killer audio in even their base cars (with an actual cost per car to them at only about $35.00-$65.00..yes, good audio at the numbers in which cars are sold really is that cheap...huge profit margins..) I guarantee you there would be a huge demographic would actually switch to Subaru because the audio was enough to tip the scales to give them a try. I could say the same about Suzuki altho it is much too late now. You should have heard the crap audio Suzuki was using in their SX4 when I was shopping for the Matrix. It made the Matrix system sound like Harmon Kardon. And again...where did that level of cheapness get them? It got them closing doors in the US and Cda...no surprise there...idiots..

Now granted...of course it takes more than just crap audio to cause the demise of a brand offering in a country that imports, but all the cheap-tries add up...I guess they had to pay for all the airbags, ABS and rear disc rotors somehow..

For the record and a reference comparo to help interpret my comments, I have heard the sound system in a Base Cruze back in the summer of 2012. While it was an ergonomic distaster to adjust, but at least when you got it adjusted, it really could rock the hell outta the car. For contrast, just walk the smae CD over to the Honda or Toyota dealership..and you see what I mean. So I am not surprised that Buick has not taken the cheap route with the audio in a Verano. Factor in the extra quiet ride so that the clarity of the audio can really come through, I can easily see how that could be the last thing that helps a purchaser decide on it vs other considerations.

My brother has a Verano. He loves it and it has been pretty reliable. I don't know what paid, but I know he got a decent deal even when they first hit the lots. Solid little car, he calls it my Lacrosse's "Mini Me"

As for car audio, most 'base" systems aren't that great. I've had the branded premium audio in most of my recent cars. Overall, it's been pretty good. The JBL in the Toyotas was crisp and loud with decent bass and the Lexicon in my Genesis was awesome. The Harman Kardon in the Buick is OK, but a bit boomy with the bass (not in a good way). I'll tell what were some pretty nice systems (for the time) was Ford's JBL. My 89 LTC had an impressive factory system as did other Ford products.

I just installed a "system' in my 04 Grand Marquis. I bought a really nice Pioneer double size NAV unit, four Infinity 6x8 speakers and ran it through an older Alpine amp. Crystal clear and sounds better than most higher end factory systems. When I get a chance, I'm going to add a small sub just so the other speakers don't have to work as hard.

"But those were the good old days for Honda (and other Asian product)..."

Yeah, I remember the 1990 CRX Si my dad bought had no factory radio. They were prewired for the radio and speakers from the factory, but the radio was a dealer installed accessory, as was the retractable radio antenna, which extended from the A-pillar of the car. My dad did the smart thing and installed an aftermarket system.

Speaking of car audio, if anyone else has an inactive SirusXM receiver, they're doing a free preview for the next week or two, so you should be able to listen for free. I love Alt Nation, but not quite enough to pay for it.

Does SirusXM sound as powerful and crystal clear (i.e. no noticeable harmonic distortion that wasn't part of the produced original sountrack) as a CD?

I've learned recently you can't even assume that cuz a CD may sound good, the FM tuner part can sound really inadequate (thinking 2012 Optima EX) even in strong radio signal areas. The idea being that it is just a cheap crap tuner and again...we're not suppose to notice I guess..

"The wife just told me again it's dumb to sell a perfectly good vehicle and spend the $ on something new...and logically and financially she's correct. But I just want to do it...and all you guys understand this I know...it's something I just can't put into words here. "

If anyone can understand this, it is probably all of us on this forum. My F.I.L. used to say, "do you need it or want it?"

Believe me, WE understand (and are all vicariously contemplating it with you).

Believe me, WE understand (and are all vicariously contemplating it with you).

I dunno 'bout that...sandman has gotten my hopes up so many times, it's been almost torturous during the many change-of-minds for this vicarious one.. He's in a conundrum that only a car purchase will cure. Too bad you guys don't get the Kia Rondo down there. It would be absolutely perfect for his ingress/egress, and bad back. The seats are terrific, it has pretty good visibility, has a pretty good stock stereo. Short enough to fit in his garage. Relatively good value allround which we know would help appease Mrs Sandman too..and if she boots him to the curb when he comes home from buying it, has enough room to stretch out and sleep in in the driveway for a few nights till she better gets used to the idea! lol

All that said tho..it is cool to read that he has finally decided on the Verano. Now it's just a matter of finding the perfect buyer for hi$ Civic.

Ah yes, the "wants and needs" game...we used to play this while we were standing in front of our cases casing the mail...ya have to do something standing there for so many hours, and this was years ago. We all need...and want stuff and the want stuff is always a nice wish list. So though I "don't need" a new vehicle, I "want" it now, something about turning 59 and actually making it is the impedous here. One sibling died from cancer at 57 and another died from it on his 58th birthday, so making it to that 59 mark is a big deal and who knows if I will see 60...my dad passed from cancer related at 64. What are the odds huh! Whatever, I do want to do this and can afford to though the logical and prudent thing would be to save it for later retirement...I get that. And I am not an impulsive kind of person by any means but deep down, I really do want to do this. So, in time, I will...I just don't know exactly when.So, I will continue to see if I can sell the Civic and when I finally get that check, I will invest it but leave enough liquid so I can do this or just pay off any small loan I take out. And if I wait till 2016 as was the original plan, and which I keep getting thrown into my face, then I'll do it then...but it won't be that long, trust me. When confronted earlier, I just said that "I've changed my mid here" and left it at that...and now I left it at I'm going to do what I think is right "for me"...period...I have closed the discussion!

What website did you see this at? I do like the Ford Escape, the difference between the old and new is very striking and even though I am not a Ford guy, it does drive, look very nice. Am interested in what Lincoln will do with it. Not sure if I'd ever buy a Ford but will go give it a look in the next few days...I know it was pretty easy to get in and out of which is an important variable to me. I am a bit all over the place in my vehicle search right now but I don't do this that often so I really do a ton of research before I finally decide on a vehicle as I'm sure most in here do. And having this small windfall just makes things different than all the other times...and this time I won't settle for an smallish econobox...still want smallish but want lux this time and won't settle for less because I shouldn't have to. But that's another story really. Also, having the kind of job I have now has made things a bit easier in that I've driven so many different makes and models this past 11 months and have definite likes and dislikes...and G-d willing, I'll have a similar job for years to come. But it helped to open my eyes to how vastly different the vehicles are and it has educated me into what I really want...and don't want, in my next and possibly last vehicle!

Don't know how I did it, but I got a few pics onto the ad, the ones I had moved from my phone last week...not great, but will do for now, will take and upload more soon. Also lowered the price to $10k even but it's still negotiable so we'll see about that also. Hopefully this will do the trick!

Yeah, do $9,995, since it sounds like that is already a bit over private party value. That $10,000 is a huge price point - once you get below that and have a Honda like yours with low miles, you should start getting a lot of interest.

Very excited to hear how it all goes.

I echo everyone else's comments as far as craigslist sales techniques. The scammers are usually pretty obvious. Meeting at a "neutral" location is a good suggestion - large open parking lot somewhere. Definitely require something like a certified bank check (if not straight cash), and consider verifying the check with the bank before completing the transaction.

Verano does sound like a good option. I just wonder, with the back issues, if it's worth continuing to pursue the small SUV route. Sliding in and out of the driver's position could be priceless.

If an Acura is still in play, I'd personally go for a used TSX over a new ILX. Doesn't necessarily have all the latest tech updates, but I think it's just a better platform.

My boys were at a birthday party yesterday afternoon - too far to go back home, so I killed time running some errands. Ran out of errands and still had time, so since there is a BMW dealership near the party location. :P

I love the new 3 series GT. The smaller size works much better with that hatchback shape than the 5 series GT. I read in a recent article that it had the rear seat headroom of the X3, and the legroom of a 7 series. Seems pretty spot on. I adjusted the driver's seat for me (I'm 6' 3") and there was loads of room behind me in the rear seat. Love that.

Sits a bit higher than the sedan/wagon, so entry in and out is nice.

So, most of the dynamics of a 3 series (apparently weight distribution is not 50/50 as with the sedan, and it weighs something like 400 lbs more), but with more than ample rear seat room and a hatchback for utility.

They also had plenty of 328d's (diesel). About $1,300 more than a 328i, combined EPA of 35 mpg, with 43 on the highway. 180 hp, but 240 (I think?) lb-ft of torque. They had both sedans and wagons. Pretty tempting too.

Of course, I'd want to wait for a used version, so probably out a couple of years. But I see one of those GTs in my garage at some point.

Nice ad. I like seeing it in the garage as being out of the Florida sun is a big plus. Might want to have one shot out in the driveway with the passing clouds reflected off the hood. Couldn't see any scratches on the bumper, they must be pretty minor.

They're getting more and more rare with these kind of miles. Too bad the seller has priced it as such. If it were at the KBB PP value of $13-14k, which still is kinda high, I'd consider it more strongly.

I'd half consider having this be the "fun" BMW, replacing the 335xi, and freeing up funds for that GT. :P

Oh I think that ad looks great Sandy - I didn't realize those were the wheels you had on it. They dress up that LX immensely.

Maybe there's more supply down in Florida, but I would think your car would get snatched up immediately here in CO. Again, I know the book values are lower, but that generation Civic, with such low miles may be one of those examples of getting a little "crazy" value.

To each his own I guess. I've sold a few minor car parts and a trailer successfully using my phone #. I don't think you can actually put your email in the ad but I could be wrong.

Without a phone # you might miss a buyer like me who is too paranoid to email. I've seen a few curbstoners locally go the anonymous route after being outed using the same phone # on a dozen cars so that makes me suspicious.

Not sure why you'd not want the buyer coming to your home either but that's just me. I'd be more worried about someone jumping out of the bushes at the mall than in my driveway.